VFTI 2025: Leadership & Management

NKBA’s VFTI Conference at KBIS 2025 offers a compelling slate of CEU-qualified learning sessions designed to develop stronger businesses, skills, and strategies.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

The Voices from the Industry Conference, NKBA’s highly regarded professional development program at KBIS 2025 in Las Vegas, offers more than 70 seminars and webinars full of valuable information covering the latest trends and business strategies shaping the future of the industry. Attendees may earn CEU credits, with options for on-site training or on-demand viewing after the show.

The VFTI series is generously sponsored by Floor & Decor.

Subject Matter Experts will share their deep knowledge during the upcoming edition, Feb. 25 to 27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Seminars and workshops are organized into six tracks: Building & Remodeling, Design, Hot Topics, K&B Trends, Leadership & Management, and Marketing. KBIS attendees may purchase a package including the Expo pass plus a conference pass for all on-site VFTI presentations and unlimited access to on-demand sessions throughout 2025. All sessions are CEU-qualified, earning 0.1 CEU credit for each hour of instruction.

Here’s a closer look at the 10 sessions in the Leadership & Management track.

Tuesday, February 25

Hire & Inspire: How Authenticity Drives Recruitment and Retention
9 – 10 am
Instructor: David Shove-Brown, Partner, Presenter, //3877
Ability Level: Intermediate

David Shove-Brown unveils the secrets to fostering a vibrant company culture that drives brand identity and fuels competitive advantage in today’s dynamic marketplace. Through his rich leadership experience, he shares insights on empowering employees to shape their careers, fostering genuine office interactions, and creating a culture that attracts top talent and loyal clients alike. Discover how to leverage your company’s culture not just as a tool for internal engagement and retention, but as a powerful magnet for external marketing and growth.

D.E.C.I.D.E. with Confidence: A Guide to Helping Your Clients Make Quick, Confident Design Decisions
10:45 – 11:45
Instructor: Rebecca West, Interior Design Business Coach, Presenter, Seriously Happy Coaching & Consulting
Ability Level: Beginner

Rebecca West presents an insightful workshop tailored for residential interior designers focusing on her proven “D.E.C.I.D.E.” method. Honed over 17 years, this method helps clients navigate the complexities of design decision-making. Discover the six essential components of this proprietary method, understand common pitfalls that hinder client decisions, and acquire practical tools to empower your clients in making informed choices. Enhance your ability to facilitate quick decisions, strengthen client trust, and elevate your role as a designer.

Empowering Women in Design and Construction: Finding Your Voice and Establishing Your Position
12:30 – 2 pm
Instructor: Carly Nemtean, Founder, VFTI, Carriage Lane Design Build Inc.
Ability Level: Intermediate

Designer/entrepreneur Carly Nemtean presents an inspiring workshop tailored to women leaders in the design, build, and construction industries. Her journey in traditionally male-dominated sectors offers invaluable insights and strategies for women navigating similar paths. Learn to thrive as a female leader in design and construction, and gain practical advice on establishing a strong presence, overcoming challenges, and achieving success in your professional journey. Empower yourself and connect with fellow women professionals and elevate your career with insights that inspire confidence and drive.

Dealing With Complex Customers in a Demanding Marketplace
12:30 – 2 pm
Instructor: Fred Reikowsky, Business Coach and Leadership Trainer, Presenter, Legacy Business Leaders, LLC
Ability Level: Intermediate

Today’s customer has become increasingly challenging, especially about unrealistic expectations for customer service and pricing. How can we shift our thinking about this current reality? This session addresses the need to be purposeful about delivering mutually beneficial outcomes without being perceived as adversarial or confrontational. Learn to deliver an excellent customer experience, define what “value” means to all stakeholders, and produce optimal profitability with a systematic process to effectively mitigate these demands and maintain win-win outcomes.

Personal & Professional Alignment: (Re)Discovering Your Passion and Purpose
1 – 2:30 pm
Instructor: Glenn Revell, Owner, Presenter, Reve
Ability Level: Beginner

Join us for an engaging workshop featuring lectures, interactive activities, and guided journaling prompts. Participants will delve into rediscovering their purpose and passion, fostering deeper personal and professional alignment. By the workshop’s conclusion, attendees will emerge with a written personal purpose and passion statement, grounding them in newfound clarity and alignment.

Mastering Target Market Diagrams and Mind Mapping: Organize Your Thoughts and Boost Productivity
2:45 – 3:45
Instructor: Allison Mullins, Sales & CEO, VFTI, Rep Methods LLC
Ability Level: Intermediate

Unlock the power of organization and productivity with practical techniques for creating target market diagrams and harnessing the versatility of mind mapping. This session offers invaluable insights into streamlining thoughts, plans, and functionalities. Participants will delve into the significance of target market diagrams, and learn how to identify and visualize key market segments essential for strategic planning and sales endeavors. Then, from organizing tasks and priorities to structuring presentations and visualizing goals, learn how mind mapping offers a holistic approach to streamlining thoughts and enhancing clarity to optimize personal and professional endeavors.

Wednesday, February 26

The Art and Science of Listening, Leaning in, and Leading with Exceptional Communication
11 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Amanda Greaves, Speaker, Coach, Author, Designer, Presenter, The Amanda Greaves Group
Ability Level: Beginner

This enlightening keynote offers effective communication strategies for design and construction professionals. Discover how refining communication styles enhances connections with employees, clients, and associates, fostering resilience and adaptability. Explore key topics such as active listening, influencing positive outcomes, and adapting communication methods to different contexts. Gain insights into understanding human influence, aligning communication with personal strengths, and leveraging real-time feedback for deeper audience engagement, and learn the communication skills that build trust, strengthen connections, and achieve success.

Don’t Kill your Golden Goose- Protect & Perpetuate your Business
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Instructor: Larry Oxenham, Senior Advisor, Presenter, American Society for Asset Protection
Ability Level: Intermediate

This indispensable session will fortify your financial future. Uncover critical strategies to protect your assets and reduce your tax burden. Among the key elements: lawsuit protection — such as identifying common lawsuit risks, methods to shield assets from legal threats, and safeguarding assets — and tax reduction and estate planning, where you’ll explore strategies to reduce annual income taxes, eliminate certain capital gains taxes, develop a business succession plan, implement techniques to ensure tax-free transfers to heirs, and more. Equip yourself with essential knowledge and practical tools to secure your financial future.

Thursday, February 27

Not Your Mom’s Interior Design: Strategies for Engaging with Gen Z Clients
9 – 10 am
Instructors: Natalie Biles, Founding Partner, Shine Interior Design Studio; Stacey Breezeel, Owner & Lead Designer, Shine Interior Design Studio
Ability Level: Beginner

A new generation of homeowners, business owners, and decision-makers is rapidly emerging. Engaging this group effectively is crucial for ensuring the longevity and sustainability of your design practice. This session explains how to adapt your presentation of interior design services to resonate with these new audiences while maintaining the principles of good design and sound business practices. Attendees will gain insights into techniques for engaging younger audiences, innovative strategies for connecting with Gen Z and other emerging demographics, and building relationships that are both respectful and impactful.

Building Resilience
5 pm – On-Demand Only
Instructor: Marie Zoutonmou-Quintanilla, VFTI, Seek Coaching LLC at Mariezq.com
Ability Level: Intermediate

In today’s fast-paced world of design and construction, understanding trauma isn’t just beneficial, it’s imperative. In this presentation, explore the concept of “window of tolerance,” its profound impact on workplace dynamics, and the intricate nuances of trauma. Learn practical strategies to navigate trauma’s complex manifestations and foster a culture of resilience and support within your organization. Gain invaluable insights into fundamental mental health concepts and discover the transformative power of recovery. From recognizing common triggers to cultivating a calm and inclusive work environment, this presentation equips you with the tools needed to thrive.

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Early-bird pricing is available through Jan. 10, 2025. NKBA members pay $575, and non-members are $775. From Jan. 11 to Feb. 22, members are $675, non-members are $875, and for on-site registration, Feb. 23 to 27, members are $775, and non-members are $875. (Student and faculty rates are also available, click for more detail.)

For more detail and a full schedule of sessions, click here.